A man who pounced on a burglar as he emerged from a Worcester pensioner’s home has been commended for his bravery by a judge.

Edward Gale grabbed Martin Wallace in a bear-hug, then kept hold of his collar until he could be arrested by police.

Wallace had gone into the property of an 84-year-old woman in Ambleside Drive, Warndon, just before midnight, said prosecutor Stephen Davies.

But Mr Gale’s daughter Hayley had earlier seen Wallace loitering in the area and rang her parents who were on a night out.

They returned and Mr Gale watched Wallace walk up the victim’s drive before running out of a kitchen door.

Judge Robert Juckes QC said Mr Gale had acted with “exceptional courage” and awarded him £100 from public funds.

The judge also praised Hayley Gale’s “good sense and observation” in helping to bring Wallace to justice.

Wallace, aged 26, of Pippen Field, Warndon Villages, pleaded guilty to burglary and was jailed for three years.

The judge said the defendant, who had a record for house raids, prepared for his crimes “quite skilfully”. He put a sock over one hand to stop fingerprints as he opened doors.

Mr Davies said the victim had lived in the house for 40 years and was fortunately asleep in front of the TV on May 5 when Wallace struck just before midnight.

Hayley Gale had her suspicions aroused when she saw the OAP’s security light going on and off a number of times, Worcester Crown Court was told.

Wallace went into her kitchen but he found the room too dark to search and left the house empty-handed.

The victim had to stay with relatives for two days before she could face going back home.

Mr Davies said: “She was appalled that somebody broke in and could not understand his motivation.

Mr Gale’s action was public-spirited with no regard for his own safety.”

In 2007 Wallace was jailed for four years for burgling two houses in the Carlisle area. He had 17 crimes on his record.

Defending, Jason Patel said Wallace suffered from a psychiatric condition that made it difficult to find work.

He had not struggled at the scene and had made frank admissions to the police.

Mr Patel said he had been heavily addicted to alcohol in the past and was now addicted to gambling machines on which he spent his benefits.